Minutes 3MDR Annual General Meeting 

At Upwey-Tecoma Bowls Club

Thursday, November 23, 2023

At 7.40pm

 

1. Welcome – Acknowledgement of Country

 

President and Chairperson Catherine Dear opened the meeting at 7:40 pm and acknowledged the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which we meet, whose sovereignty has never been ceded, and paid her respects to their elders past, present and emerging. 

 

2. Attendance
   

Members: Sam Dunn

Stuart Semmens

Catherine Dear

Rachel Nendick

Barbara Baxter

Chris Riseley

Sue Amico

John Schmidli

Matt Gale

Tony (Anthony) Blake

Phil Ruck

Suzanne Hewett

Sally Young

Judy-Ann Steed

Michelle Gearon

Mark Gardner

Nathan Trainor

Gareth Baxter

Brett Townsend

 

Non Members in attendance:   Ren Cuttriss, Drew Pawley, Damien Kitch

Apologies:  Daniel McCunn, Janet Young, Aaron Violi MP, Con Kalamaras, Peter Kessels, Nat Grant, George Tsakiridis, Tricia Ziemer, Ria Watkin, Daniel Smith, Evrim Sen, Paula Bye, Paul Dastey, David Miller, Anna Townsend.

3. Guest Speaker

Drew Pawley, Logistics Officer from Belgrave Survival Day, described how he discovered this organisation and then become involved, and also shared some delightful thoughts about 3MDR’s connection to the community.  To quote Drew: “3MDR opens opportunities for people, to see that we are a community of open doors that can be entered with safety, acceptance and security. And if and when we wish to engage in an activity we like, we can do so creatively and respectfully.  I am here tonight to bring thanks on behalf of myself, our group and our community for the generous ongoing support of all of you through your vital work at 3MDR.”

 

4. Confirmation of previous minutes

 

Minutes of the 2022 AGM were sent to all members via email.

 

Motion:  That the minutes from the 2022 3MDR AGM be accepted.

 

Moved: Sam Dunn

Seconded: Tony Blake

Passed.

 

5. Reports 

 

President’s Report: a written report was sent to all members by email prior to the meeting and summarised by Catherine Dear

 

Treasurer’s Report: a written report was sent to all members by email prior to the meeting. 

 

Key points: 

1. 3MDR is now registered for GST, so the Treasurer recommended that membership fees not be raised as they are already 10% more due to the addition of GST.
2. Regarding the Auditor’s Report, the overall result is not as bad as it seems due to corrections from increased expenses and revenue downturns during the COVID period.

 

Station Manager’s Report: written report by Nat Grant was sent to all members and read out by Rachel Nendick, Secretary.

Motion: That the Auditor HBT Advisory be appointed for the 2023-24 financial year.

Moved: Barbara Baxter

Seconded: Phillip Ruck

Passed.

 

Motion That all of the Reports be accepted.

Moved: Tony Blake

Seconded: Mark Gardner

Passed.

 

6. General business

 

1. The President put a call to members to consider putting up their hands to be part of the running of the station by joining the Committee or strengthening our Subcommittees.
2. The President thanked Phil Ruck who completed a long-serving role as Station Manager in January this year.
3. The President welcomed Nat Grant as the new Station Manager.
4. Judy-Ann Steed submitted an email today thanking 3MDR for creating disability access to the Homestead, as this opens up the station to more people in the community. She also expressed thanks to the office staff who have been fantastic during COVID and Tina Nabb, office Volunteer. Judy-Ann also suggested that photos of the members of the Committee be displayed on the wall at the Homestead, and suggested 3MDR publicise volunteer position vacancies and 3MDR events in the local newspaper. 

 

Judy-Ann presented the following motion:

“Move we congratulate staff at 3MDR, particularly Ren and Phil and others for their hard work, instigating and implementing the disabled ramps and internal wheelchair access facilities.”

Moved: Judy-Ann Steed

Passed

 

Judy-Ann made two further requests by email earlier today to 3MDR, to: 

1. reinstate annual awards at 3MDR’s end of year get together, for various categories such as: Best Presenter of the Year; Best Music Program;The Program with the Most Subscribers; to encourage and recognise fellow presenters for their hard work during the year.  This could be as previously, a Certificate & maybe a $100 gift card for Best Presenter and Certificate & $50 gift card for other categories. Suggest input from presenters for categories.

The President (Catherine) responded that the Committee, in conjunction with staff, are considering this action and will table this request on the agenda of their first meeting next year as a new Committee.

 

And,

2. Would the committee consider a move of venue for the end of year celebration from the Fat Goat to a more family friendly and accessible local venue. Judy-Ann suggested we shift this end of the year get together to Upwey RSL on a Sunday,  where they have acoustic music until 4 pm; more room to meet, talk and mingle, restaurant or arranged set menu, areas both inside & out. 

The President responded that, although a change of venue for the 2023 celebration is not possible for this year, the suggestion will be discussed at a future Committee meeting.

7. Appointment of New Committee of Management

 

The current Committee of Management stepped down. Nominations were received.  Ren Cuttriss was appointed as the returning officer by the Chair and conducted the election.

 

Nominations:

President: Catherine Dear 

Vice-President: Nil

Secretary: Chris Riseley

Treasurer: Barbara Baxter

Ordinary Member Candidates: 

Rachel Nendick

Sue Amico

 

Outcome: All candidates elected uncontested. 

 

Motion: That the new Committee be accepted.

Moved: Tony Blake

Seconded: Gareth Baxter

Passed

 

Motion: to appoint Chris Riseley as Public Officer of 3MDR.

Moved: Mark Gardner

Seconded: Rachel Nendick

Passed

 

The re-elected President gave thanks and presented gifts to outgoing committee members Daniel Smith, Tim Lines, Patrick McCarthy and Tony Blake.

 

8. New Business

 

Ren Cuttriss: Formed out of Ash Wednesday, Yarra Ranges Council (YRC) are very keen to keep community venues up to date in terms of Fire Safety, and wish to assist 3MDR to be a facility for Community Relief and Recovery. The development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is currently in process with YRC around this. 

 

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.48pm.